Switch for electrical flash lights



Sept.- 2, '1930. w. .L oFFER SWITCH' FOR ELECTRICAL FLASH LI`G`HI5S Filed Jan. s1, 192e ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 2, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE WESLEYv J'. OFFICER, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASu SIGNMENTS, TO BLAKE MANUFACTURING CO., OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS,

.A CORPORATION 0F MASSACHUSETTS SWITCH FOR ELECTRICAL FLASH LIGHTS Application filed January 31, 1928.

This invention relates to improvements in switches for electrical flash lights that are located on the outer surface of the battery enclosing casing. An obj ect of the invention is to provide a switch that permits the circuit to the bulb to be momentarily closedv` or to be locked so that it can not be accidently closed, or to be permanently closed.

Broadly itcomprises a casing member which is attached to the casing and having a slidable thumb and finger piece that is located on its upper surface. This piece Operates a slidable contact closing member that is located within the casing. Also located Within an opening of the casing is a push button for momentarily closing the circuit to the bulb. The slidable member also performs the function of permanently retaining the circuit open to prevent it accidently closing when the fiash light is not in use. Means are also provided for permanently closing the circuit.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the push button showing the slidable Contact member and the means for retaining this slidable member in different positions of adjustment.

Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view of the thumb and finger part for operating the slidable contact member.

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 1, showing in dotted lines the circuit as being momentarily closed.

Fig. 4 is a detail bottom plan view of the slidable Contact member.

Fig. 5 shows the switch in its permanently closed position.

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view showing thel interior with the parts assembled.

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view ou the line 7-7 of Fig. 6 illustrating the construction for holding the circuit closed.

Fig. 8 is a detail plan view of the member carrying the push bottom and the slotted portion for retaining'the slidable contact member in place7 and Fig. 9 is a bottom plan view of the casing showing the opening through which the push button passes the inwardly extending ears Serial No. 250,804.

for locking the slidable contact member and the openings to receive the depending portions of the thumb piece.

Referring to the drawings in detail:

1 designates the struck-up casing member which is secured to the battery enclosing tube by means of rivets which enter the openings Q of the flange portion 3. This casing is formed with an opening 4 and the two elongated slots 5. shown in Fig. 9. Located in the opening 1 is a push button 6 that is formed as a part of the member 7 which is formed with the three slots 8, 9 and 10, as shown in Fig. 8. 11 is a slidable contact member that `is located below the slotted plate 7 having the downwardly extending contact closing tongue part 12 which engages the contact 13 of the electric circuit. The slidable contact member 11 is operated b v means of the thumb piece 14 that is formed with the downwardly extending fingers 15 that pass through the slots 5 in the casing and enter the recesses 16 of the slidable contact member 11. They are folded inwardly. as shown in Fig. 6, where they engage the lower surface of the slidable contact member 11. The member 11 is formed with a struck up portion 17 which is designated to enter the slots S, 9 and 10 of the fixed plate 7 for the purpose of holding the slidable Contact member' 11 in different positions of adjustment. The contact member 11 is also formed with recesses 1S. The casing 1 is formed with inwardly extending projections 19 on the opposite edges, as shown in Figs. G, 7 and 9. The purpose of these projections is to prevent the downward movement of the contact member 11 when the thumb 6 is pressed downward. as shown in Figs. 1 and 6. to prevent accidental closing of the circuit. These pieces normally enter the cut out recesses 18 of the member 11.

The operation of the switch may be described as follows: Referring first to Fig. 1. the struck up part 17 of the slidable cont-act member 11 is located in the opening 8 of the fixed plate 7. This part retains the slidablc contact piece 11 against accidental closing of the circuit. In this position the contact is held open. rfhe struck up ears 19 are now under the member ll, Figs. 6 and 'l'.

l'eterring to Fie'. 3 the thumb piece 14 has been operated wil i the Struck up part 1T in the opening' 9. llhen the pueh button G is moved downwarl i veel the tongue part l2 into engagemen" vv ii the contact 13 tor morue: ariljv cloeim re ci The projec- .l fr'c nov.' in l r' The reif. the plaie 'r' are to permit the projection." it) to he free when the button 6 is. operated.

Referring to Fig. the Slirilable contact member ll asenrnee the position in which the projection l? enters; the opening' l0. yThe portion l2 now pernn-nenti)v cloee'l on the contact 4 .ffhe circuit strip is shown at l2 iletion at l.

rlefcription it will be Seen that I s vi ch flevice g5 ,ed a that performs c 'l` ctienfi ot: his l to peimit tem- 'il v elo-eine' the circuit: e ,10nd, holding en to preveit e ciflental cloemgr. and Vto permanentlj. he cir init. i l claim in:

itch device 'or fhinhliejhtga Slidnble rentact member formed with etrnclsup pm'tion:-:. a pns'h button member, menne moving the contact membe menne4 for retainimf the contact member in 'erentpo sillons o. adjus'inent relative to a contact terminal and comprising :1v slotted part connected to the prwh button te receive the Sirach-up portior .5, a part on the movable 5e conta-et member for entering the slots ot the punh button member, whereby. when the pueh beton ie' operated. the contaet. inember will momernjurilj.' engage the contnct ter minet. or will perrnamrtly clone the circuit extcncliii'r ear means on the ,-b and oppoaitelv ce." for rendering the` push button inoperurive.

n. A thigh licht switch inivi in combination a creino; member, slide-,ble contact te' me: torni-alii nnlbrealing trie circuit to mon ei tariljf eli/fe the circuit to 'ther bulb. mea comprising oppositely and inw: rrllv exte dinel strut .-up eers on the cafing, which the sliclenble Contact n are l nnder l\ eatee menne` or rendering; the circuit closing means iimperative, and means for permanently closiinethe circuit.

et. A. llas-h lighty switch having, in combination. a c'teing with etruckup ear parte, a contact` terminal, a slidable formed with a projection and bent terminal contact part, a push button having a elotted part to receive the project-ion et the slidabie switch 'lor rctainingr the slitlable switch member in dilferent positions of adjustment relative to the contactterminal, the said ear parte heine` so located to prevent the oper: tion oi the pueh button, whereby the circuit is maintained open.

5. lu a Switch device, a push button inenn bei'. having an intefral extension portion that iS termed Vith a pluralitvv of spaced slots. a sslrdable contact member. having a projection inat enters: the slots for retaining the cont member in tlillerent positions of adjustnt. the puch button member being: located )ne end ol" the contact member tor movdownward into engagement with a i terminal. u caeing' for enclosingl the art?7 and. mean4 on the using. which pret the down vr rd niovementof the. push able contact member is:

in one position.

6. ln a mitch device Vtor ,tlaSh lights. a casing having' a push bu vton receiving opening. a pne'h button in the opening'. a slidable con- 'ace member, a thumb piece for operating' the Contact member. an in'svardly projecting' part on the rising which extends over the Slidable Contact member. when it is; moved into its: rearward position b v the thumb piece Vtor previ-)mintT the pufeh button from cloning' the circuit. when (merated.

7. In combination. in u switch, a easing'. a pneh button located in an opening thereot" :l Sliduble. contact switch member, cooperat- :innA means between the push button :1nd the said slidablc switch comprising cutout reeeeses in the slidahle Switch and ritruclvull) e: rs on the 'asino' tor enteringY `he receSSeS to permit the punh button to operate or to prevent the puxh button 'trom operating. when not in the recesses; and means tor retaining the switch in different poeitionsl ot adjustment for permitting the circuit to be momentarily closed, or locked afainet cloeiure. or pernnlnentlv closed. and menne` for opeatingr the :slidable switch.

WESLEY J. OFlVlClLll.

switch member 

